Telltale for automobile lights



Aug. 18, 1936. D. R. P. HEATON TELLTALE FOR AUTOMOBILE LIGHTS Filed May 29, 1933 Dwight RF Heaion GUM/MA;

Patented Aug. 18, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TELLTALE FOR AUTOMOBILE LIGHTS Dwight Buggies Perry Heaton, Chappaqua, N. Y.

Application May 29, 1933, Serial No. 673,568 9 Claims. (Cl. 177-311) My invention relates to electric lighting systems for automobiles.

An important object of the invention is to provide a system of the above mentioned character, wherein a single indicator element or bulb is employed to indicate when any one of the several bulbs of the lighting system, when turned on, has failed to glow.

A further object of the invention is to provide a system of the above mentioned character formed of few and simple parts, and which may be arranged in a highly compact manner.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, the figure is a diagrammatic view of a system embodying my invention.

In the drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designates the filaments of the left and right cowl light-bulbs of the automobile, these bulb filaments being designated LC and RC, respectively. One end of each filament is grounded at 6, while the opposite end of the filament is connected with a wire 1, connected with a coil or winding 8, arranged about a core 9 of an electro-magnet. The opposite end of each coil or winding 8 is connected with a wire it), connected with a stationary contact II, as shown.

The numerals l2 and I3 designate the two filaments of the left and right headlight bulbs, which are designated LH and RH, respectively. Corresponding ends of each pair of filaments I2 and I3 are connected with a wire l4, grounded at I5. The opposite end of. each filament I2 is connected with a wire I6, connected with a winding or coil I1, and surrounding a core |8 of an electro-magnet. The opposite end of each winding I1 is connected with a wire l9, connected at 29, with a wire 2|, which is connected with a stationary contact 22. Each filament l3 has its opposite end connected with a wire 23, connected with a coil or winding 24 of an electromagnet, which coil or winding. surrounds a core 25. The opposite end of each winding 24 is connected with a wire 26, connected with a stationary contact 21.

The numeral 28 designates a filament included in a tail light bulb, and the filament 28 has one end connected with a wire 29, and this wire 29 is connected with a winding or coil 39, surrounding a. core 3|. The opposite end of the winding 30 is connected at 32 with a wire 33, extending in one direction for electrical connection with a stationary contact segment 34.

The numeral'35 designates the filament of a stop light bulb, also designated S. One end of this filament is connected with a wire 36, which is connected to a winding or coil 31, and this winding 31 is connected at 38 with a wire 40, which is connected with a stationary contact 4|. Electrically connected with the wire Mat 38 is a winding or coil 42, and windings or coils 31 and 42 surround a core 43 of an electro-magnet. Windings 31 and 42 have their polarity arranged in opposition, so that when both windings 31 and 42 are energized, their magnetism is neutralized. The windingv 42 has one end connected with a resistance element 44, connected with a wire 45, grounded at 46. The opposite end of the filament 35 is connected with wire 45, as shown at 41. Wire 45. 'is connected with one pole of the source of current 48, the opposite pole of which is connected with a wire 49,

which is connected at 50 with a wire. 5 and connected with a swinging contact 52, to engage stationary contact 4 I. The swinging contact 52 is to be actuated by the movement of the brake pedal and will engage contact 4| when the brake pedal is depressed and will disengage the contact 4| when the brake pedal is released. Wire 49 extends beyond point 59 and is connected at 53 with a double-ended swinging contact 54, included in a selective switch. As soon as one end of contact 54 is brought into engagement with contact I I,

its opposite end will engage the contact segment 34, and will remain in engagement with this con tact segment while the opposite end of contact 54 is swung from stationary contact II to stationary contact 22, for engaging contacts 21,

and 22.

Arranged near each set of electro-magnets is a swinging armature 55, common to all magnets in the set. These armatures are connected with a wire 56, grounded at 51. Each armature 55 is adapted to engage with a stationary contact 58,

connected with a wire 59, connected with a statlonary contact 60. Contacts normally engage contacts 6|, which may be springs, included in a contact device 62. The contact device is connected with a wire 63 having one end of the filament 64 of the indicator bulb connected therewith, which indicator bulb is also designated 1. The filament 64 has its opposite end connected with wire 33.

A wire 65 is connected with wire 63, and is connected with a stationary contact 66, arranged a wire 68, also connected with the opposite end of the filament 28 of the tail light. Wire 68 is grounded at 69. Connected with the wire 63 is a wire 10, connected with a stationary contact 1|, adapted to be engaged by an armature I2, grounded at 13.

The operation of the system is asfollows:

The selective switch is operated by turning contact element 54 for lighting the selected bulb filaments. If it is desired to light the cowl bulb filaments, contact 64 will engage contact II and contact segment 34. With this adjustment, the electro-magnet winding 8 in each set will be energized and the armature 55 will be held out of contact with stationary contact 58. Current will now fiow from one pole of the source of current 48 through wire 49, contact 54, contact ll, each wire l0, each winding 8, each filament 5, and each ground 6, back to ground 46 and to the opposite pole of the source of current. The current also passes from contact 54 through contact seg-. ment 34, wire. 33, electro-magnet winding 30, tail light filament 28, wire 68, ground 69, and back to ground 46 of the source of current. Ar-

mature 61 is therefore held out ofcontact with contact 66,.and armature 12 is also held out of contact with contact 1|, since stop switch 52 is open. The indicator bulb filament therefore has no closed circuit and will not glow. Assuming that the left cowl bulb filament 5'should burn outwith this adjustment of parts, then all of the electro-magnet windings 8, I1, and 24 of the left set would be deenergized, and armature 55 commonto these electro-magnets would drop and engage contact 58. When this occurs, a circuit will be closed to cause the indicator bulb filament 64 to glow, and in this closed circuit current will flow from one pole of the source of current 48 through wire 49, contact 54, contact segment 34, wire 33, indicator bulb 64, wire 63, contact 6|,

contact 60, wire 59, armature 55, wire 56, and

' backto the ground ofqthe source of current.

, when either of the filaments l2 burn out.

The indicator bulb filament 64 will thus glow and indicate that either the left or right cowl bulb filament 5 is burned out. The operator may shift the contact device 63 to the right to bring spring contact 6| out of engagement with contact 69 to the left, while spring contact,6l will engage contact 68 to the right. When this is done, the indicator bulb filament 64 will cease to glow, and the operator 'will then know that the trouble is with the left cowl light. By swinging contact 54 until it engages contact 2|,the[left and right headlight bulb filaments-I3 will be connected in the closed circuits, and; will glow, and the indicator bulb filament 64 will glow when either of these filaments burn out, asis obvious. By bringing the contact 54' into engagement with contact 22, the head-light bulb filaments It will be connected in closed circuits and these filaments will glow and the indicatorbulb filament 64 will glow The contact device 62- maybe manipulated in the -manner described, for determining whether the trouble is with the left or right filaments l3, or with the left. or right filaments 2. When the contact 54 engages either contac'tl I, 21 and22, contact 54 engages contact segment 34 and the tail light filament 28 is connected ina closed circuit and will glow. .In this closed circuit, current will flow from the'source of current 48 through wire 49, contact 54, contact segment 34', electromagnet winding'30, wire 29,'tail light filament 28, wire 68' and ground '69, back to the ground 46 of the source of current. The electro-magnet winding being energized, armature 61 is held out of contact with contact 66. When the tail light filament 28 burns out, armature winding 38 is deenergized and armature 61 automatically engages contact 66 and a circuit is closed to cause the indicator bulb filament 64 to glow. In this closed circuit, current will flow from one side of the source of current 48, wire 49, contact 54, contact segment. 34, wire 33, indicatorbulb filament 64, wire 63, wire 65, contact 66, armature 61, wire 68, and through ground 69 to the ground 46 of the source of current. When the brakes are applied, the contact 52 engages contact 4| and a circuit'is closed to cause the stop light bulb filament 35 to glow. In this closed circuit, current will flow from one side of the source of current 48 through wire 49, through wire 5|, contact 52, contact 4|, wire 40, electro-magnet winding "31, wire 36, stop light bulbfilament 35, wire 45 the magnetism of the other, and armature l2 will not engage stationary contact ll. Now, when the stop light bulb filament 35 burns out with contact 52 engaging contact 4 I, electro-magnet winding 31 is deenergized, while electro-magnet winding 42 is energized and armature 12 will be drawn into engagement with contact II, and a closed circuit is provided to cause the in dicator bulb filament to glow. In this closed circuit, current will pass from one side of the source of current 48, through wire 48, contact 54, contact segment 34, wire 33, indicator bulb filament 64, wire 63, wire 18, contact 1|, armature l2, ground 13 and through ground 46 back to the opp site pole of the source of current.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferredexample of the same and that various changes in the size, shape, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit oi my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim: I g

1. In a lighting system for automobiles, a source of current having one side grounded, a plurality of electric bulb filaments, an electro-mag-, net for each bulb filament having a winding connected with the source of current and such bulb filament, the bulb filaments and electro-magnets being arranged in a plurality of groups, an indi cator bulb filament having one terminal connected with the ungrounded side of the source of current, a plurality of contacts connected with the opposite terminal of the indicator bulb filament, a -grounded armature for each group of electromagnets and arranged to engage the corresponding contact when all of such electro-magnets 'in its group are deenergized;

2. In a lighting system for automobiles, a source of current, a plurality of sets of electric filaments each winding being connected with the corresponding filament in such set, a switch for selectively connecting the windings of the several pairs source of currcnt,-an indicator bulb having one terminal connected with one side of the source of current. a'plurality of contacts connected with theopposite terminal of the indicator bulb, an armature for each contact, each armature being arranged near the electromagnetic means for .each set of filaments and electrically connected with the other side of the source of current, the. arrangement being such that such armature is held from engagement with its corresponding contact when any one winding in its electro-magnetic means is energized.

3. In a lighting system for automobiles, source oi! current, a plurality of sets of electric filaments, arranged near the opposite sides of the automobile, the corresponding filaments in the two sets constituting pair's, electro-magnetic means for the filaments in each set, each electro-magnetic means including a plurality of windings corresponding in number to the filaments in each set, each winding being connectedwith the corresponding filament in such set, a' switch for selectively connecting the windingsot the several pairs of filaments with the source of current, an indicator bulb having one terminal connected with one side of the source or current, a plurality of contacts connected with the opposite terminal of the indicatorbulb, an armature for each contact, each armature being arranged near the electro-magnetic-means -for each,set of filaments and electrically connected with the other side or the source or current, thearrangement being such that such armature isheld from engagement with its corresponding contact when any one winding in its eiectro-magnetic means is energized, and means to selectively break the electrical'connection between each contact and-the indicator bulb. 4. In a lighting system tor automobiles, a source of current, a set of electric filaments, electro-magnetic means for the set of electric filaot with the ments and including a plurality of windings corresponding in number tn the filaments in the set, each winding being connected with the corresponding filament in the set, an indicator bulb, means including a switch for connecting the windings of the several filaments and one terminal of the indicator bulb with one side of the source of current, a contact connected with the opposite terminal of the indicator bulb, an armature for the contact, the armature being arranged near the electro-magnetlc meagis for the set of filaments and electrically connected with the one side of the source or current, the arrangement being such that the armature isheld from, engagement with its contact when any one winding in the electro-magnetic means is energized.

5. In a lighting system for automobiles, a source'of current, a plurality of sets of electric filaments arranged near the opposite sides of the automobile, the corresponding filaments in the two sets constituting pairs, electro-magnetic means iorthe filaments in each set. each electromagnetic means including a plurality ot'windings corresponding in number to the filaments in each set, each winding being connected with the corresponding filament in such set, a tail light, an electro-magnet having a winding connected with one terminal of the tail light,'an indicator bulb, a switch for selectively conn ting the windings or the several pairs or filaments, the winding of the electro-magnet. and one terminal of the energized, the arrangement indicator bulb with one side of the source of cur* rent. a plurality of contacts connected with the opposite terminal of the indicator bulb, an armature for each contact, each armature being arranged near the electro-magnetic means for set of filaments and electrically connected with the other side of the source of current, the arrangement being such that such armature is held; from engagement'with its corresponding contact when any one'winding in its electro-mag- 1 netic meansis energized, a contact connected with the said opposite terminal 'of the indicator bulb, an armature arranged near said electroniagnet and electrically connected with such other side of the source of current and held from engagement with the last named contact when the electro-magnet is energized, and means to selectively break the electrical connection between the first named contacts and the indicator 2 bulb. a

6. In a light system for automobiles, a plurality oi! groups of lighting circuits, each circuit in each group including a bulb filament, electromagnetic means for each group of lighting circuits and including windings corresponding in number with the'bulb filaments in such group. of circuits and connected with such bulb filaments, an armature'to be moved by the electromagnetic means of each group of circuits, an indicator circuit including a signal element, means controlled by the armatures for retaining the indicator circuit open at points when all electromagnetic means are energized, the arrangement.

being such that each electro-magnetic means is energized when any one winding included therein is energized, a source of current, and means for connecting selected corresponding lighting circuits of the groups and the indicator circuit with the source of current.

7. In a lighting system for automobiles, a pinralityoi' groups of lighting circuits, each circuit in each group including a bulb filament, electromagnetic means for each group of lighting circuits and including windings corresponding in number'with the bulb filaments in such group or chew and connected with such bulb filaments, an cator circuit including a-signal element, an armature to be moved by the electro-magnetic means of each group of circuits, means controlled by the corresponding armature to close the indicator circuit by the action of any armature when its electro-magnetic means is deenergized, the arrangement being such that each electro-magnetic means is deenergized when all of the windings included therein are deenergized, a source of current, means'ior connecting the indicator circuit with the source of current, and means to connect selected light circuits of the groups with the source of current.

8. In a lighting system for automobiles, a plurality of groups of lighting circuits, each circuit in each group including a bulb filament, electromagnetic means for each group of lighting circuits and including windings corresponding in number with the bulb filaments in such group of 'circuits and connected with such bulb filaments, an armature for the electro-magnetic means oi! each group of circuits, an indicator circuit including a signal element, means controlled by the armatures for retaining the indicator circuit open at points when all electro-magnetic means are being such that each electro-magnetic means is energized when any one winding included therein is energized, a

source of current, means for connecting selected corresponding lighting circuits of the groups and the indicator circuit with the source of current, a circuit connected in parallel with the indicator bulb circuit and including a tail light bulb filament, and means to close the indicator bulb circuit when the bulb in the closed tail light circuit ceases to glow.

9. In a lighting system for automobiles, a source of current, a. plurality of electric bulb filaments which are arranged in groups, separate electro-magnetic means for each group of bulb filaments including windings connected with one side of the source of current and the terminals 01' the bulb filaments, means for electrically connecting the opposite terminals of the bulb filaments in each group with the opposite side of the source of current, an indicator bulb, the fllament of said indicator bulb having one terminal connected with one side or the source of current, a plurality of contacts connected with the opposite terminal of the indicator bulb filament, a separate armature for each electro-magnetic means and arranged to engage the corresponding contact and electrically connected with the opposite side of the source 01' current, the arrangement being such that each armature is held from engagement with its contact when any one winding oi. its electro-magnetic means is energized. DWIGHT RUGGLES PERRY HEATON. 

